Should I do a Master’s degree?

After what already seems like a lengthy period of 5 – 7 years at medical school, a growing number of junior doctors are embarking on various master’s degrees offered by universities. While each person has their own motivation to enrol in further learning, this trend of doing master’s degrees has no doubt been influenced by an increasingly competitive job market.

The decision of whether to enrol and, if so, which master’s degree to enrol in is a complex one.

Some key questions to consider include:

1. Is it useful and will it actually help with my chances of getting a job in the future?

2. Is it worth the time and money invested?

3. Is it possible to juggle a master’s while working full-time?

4. Should I do a master’s by research or coursework?

To help answer some of these, onthewards have profiled doctors from varying levels of training who have either embarked on master’s degrees or are involved in job recruitment:

Over the past few years, an increase in the number of medical schools across Australia has led to ever growing numbers of junior medical officers within the health system. The competition therefore for training positions across a variety of specialties has never been higher, leading candidates to search for ways to set themselves ahead of the pack. A master’s degree is one such way to create that point of difference. But should you do one? Well…it depends.

A course-based master’s, for example, clinical epidemiology, can introduce you to valuable skills, such as those necessary for critical appraisal of medical literature. Skills that will serve you well for your career. Similarly, involvement in a research-based master’s, either clinical or laboratory research, will lay the groundwork for future research involvement and collaborations.

However, regardless of the type of master’s pursued, the decision to enrol should not be taken lightly. The time commitments to complete assignments and attend lectures and tutorials may prove challenging on top of existing employment. Similarly, research projects involving patient recruitment, medical records reviews, statistical analysis or regular laboratory time may require candidates to work late into evenings and weekends, or free time to complete.

A master’s degree can be exceptionally rewarding if you are interested in the subject matter or the project you are pursuing, but it can also be a rocky path and is certainly a commitment that will disrupt an already delicate work-life balance. As a recruiter of both basic and advanced trainees, a master’s degree can make a candidate stand out from the pack, everything else being equal. But it must be relevant to the job that you are applying to and it isn’t the only way. It is just one of many attributes that a candidate can demonstrate to secure a training position. If your interests lie elsewhere, focus on those things that you are passionate about and let that sell you to a prospective employer.

Which master’s I am doing/did: Master of Medicine (Critical Care), University of Sydney

Why did I choose to do a master’s:

I was halfway into my internship (2015) and thought and felt like I needed to study due to having self-perceived large gaps in my knowledge. I know that for me, a structure and good curriculum with deadlines is a very effective way for me to study and cover large amounts of content – continuous gentle pressure is the only way I get things done! I also have an interest in retrieval medicine, and really wanted to complete the two retrieval modules that USyd offered in conjunction with the team at Sydney HEMS.

What have I gained from doing it:

First and foremost, I have gained a huge appreciation of those who have studied while working full-time. I certainly feel that I have benefited from completing the modules with my basic sciences knowledge improving. It has been quite nice to get back into the nitty-gritty of the basic sciences, especially with a little bit of clinical experience under my belt, the knowledge tends to fall in place much more easily! The modules have also re-taught me how to dive back into big, thick textbooks; something I have avoided doing for a number of years.

What are the downsides of doing it:

1. Cost

In an era of FOAMed and increasingly available fantastic resources online, it is a drawback that these courses cost so much – especially seeing as they’re run online and with lectures on repeat and fewer coordinator contact or on-site days.

2. Time

In my days and weeks off and when I should be enjoying my free time, I’ve found that the biggest issue for me has been balancing full-time work, trying to exercise, and to still have a social life! However, I think I have been largely able to preserve some semblance of a balance while doing this.

Any other comments/advice:

I think that the unfortunate thing is there is a trend of pursuing some form of post-graduate education to make you more hireable. This is a result of an increasingly competitive pre-vocational environment, with that “tidal wave” of medical graduates coming through the system. While I do believe that undertaking post-graduate education is important, however, it doesn’t have to come in the form of a $26,000 AUD master’s degree. There are other master’s that are much cheaper, as well as diplomas that may be more interesting / relevant depending on your own interests and career aspirations. Good luck!

Which master’s I am doing/did: Master of Public Health, University of NSW

Why did I choose to do a master’s:

I chose to start an MPH for a number of reasons – some noble, others less so. The good reasons include a passion for clinical governance and interest in health policy – while it feels good to help individual patients, the capacity to help large numbers on a population health basis is far more powerful. At the time, I only had a hazy idea of what my future career would look like (I started it in residency, when medical oncology training hadn’t entered my mind) but I thought that policy and advocacy of some kind would be involved and therefore that a degree in this area would be helpful. Less noble reasons include generalised “CV panic” that started in late internship when I realised I wanted to apply for a competitive job (basic physician training) and deciding on the university and course that a few friends were also starting at the time. The latter reason I don’t regret – going through some of the trickier courses (like statistics and epidemiology) was definitely more pleasant with friends. As for the former – I would probably recommend easier ways of padding a CV than undertaking 4 years of part-time study alongside training!

What have I gained from doing it:

The process of doing my master’s has helped me gain the following:

• A good understanding of research methods. I understand the value of both quantitative and qualitative research and can develop a study, determine which research method to use and how to analyse the data I have collected. Given that oncology is so research-driven, these skills are indispensable.

• A grounding in biostatistics – I finally learned how to use the dreaded SPSS, and it wasn’t as terrible as I thought.

• Academic thinking – being able to perform a literature review, analyse articles and write an essay were skills that had started to atrophy during two years of pure clinical work.

The specialty area I have chosen is very research-focused and the prospect of a PhD and further research seems less daunting now that I have a greater skill set.

What are the downsides of doing it:

Studying part-time while working full-time is a challenge – particularly when you add training (such as BPT) into the equation! You are either going to work incredibly hard (or take time off) to finish it quickly or it will drag out over years as you slog away one subject at a time (my approach). This meant I could complete it without compromising my work or training but the problem with stretching a course out over 3-4 years means that foundational knowledge from the initial courses can seem like a distant memory towards the end.

Distance education was another challenge. It was not at all like the all-encompassing ‘learn by osmosis’ medical school experience. I had the nagging sense of “something is probably due soon” for the past 3 years and had to step up my self-directed learning skills and time management as a result. I studied one subject as an internal student during summer semester and realised how much more I learned and engaged with the material (which was reflected in my marks as well). In retrospect, I would recommend doing at least one course a year as an internal student to really get the most out of the degree!

Which master’s I am doing/did: Master of Philosophy (Medicine), University of Sydney

Why did I choose to do a master’s:

I thought that doing a master’s was a good way to do research, as it is structured, supervised and gives a recognised qualification. I wanted to do my master’s by research rather than coursework because I thought that I would gain practical skills and potentially contribute something useful. I took 12 months off clinical work last year to do my research. This year I have returned to clinical work and continue to write up my thesis.

What have I gained from doing it:

Taking time off to do the master’s was a great experience. The science world is different in many ways to the hospital-based clinical world. Conducting experiments is often a solitary, long and sometimes disappointing process. However, when things work and you start to see significant results it can be extremely rewarding.

What are the downsides of doing it:

I think the main perceived downside to the approach of taking a year off to complete a master’s was that some people felt they weren’t progressing in their medical careers. Ultimately, one year is not very long and I think that having a research master’s can help in getting onto training programs and getting jobs at the end of training. There are also financial considerations. I was able to maintain an income through private surgical assisting. There are also scholarships for research and locum work.

Any other comments/advice:

I found that research was more flexible than clinical work. You chose when you conduct experiments and non-experiment time can be spent wherever you choose. I would definitely recommend master’s by research. I have found it both challenging and rewarding. It is a big commitment so it’s not for people who just need to tick off research on their CV. Good luck to those considering a master’s degree!

As an anaesthetic registrar, one requirement of our training is to either complete some postgraduate studies, or undertake a research project. After deciding to follow a study pathway, it made sense to undertake a course that was relevant to my own practice.

What are the downsides of doing it:

The decision was not as simple as it sounds however. The time commitment required to successfully complete each subject was significant – around 10 hours per week per subject in addition to the usual full-time work roster. Cost is another major factor to consider as many of these courses are not covered by HECS/HELP, and therefore must be funded out of pocket – the perioperative medicine master’s is particularly expensive and is likely to set you back approximately $40,000 AUD. Furthermore, the applicability of the course content to your own practice and learning needs may not always align with your expectations.

What have I gained from doing it:

Despite this, there can be a lot to gain from completing a master’s degree. From my own experience, not only have I satisfied a requirement for my training, but I have also learnt a great deal about an area of medicine that is relevant to my practice. In particular, I have gained in-depth knowledge about an area that is often examined in detail in our fellowship examinations. Of course, the extra qualification is helpful for the resume, and I am hoping that it will eventually lead to improved employment opportunities, both as a fellow and as a consultant.

Any other comments/advice:

My advice to those considering undertaking a master’s degree is to do your research. Find a course that is relevant to your career path, or something you are passionate about, and then decide if the cost and the time commitment are worth it. And if they are, jump in and don’t look back!

Andrew Tan

Position: Surgical HMO3 at Western Health (Victoria)

Which master’s I am doing/did: Master of Surgery, University of Sydney

Why did I choose to do a master’s:

I decided to do this degree for several reasons. First is to gain in-depth anatomical knowledge via a full body dissection which is important for anyone embarking on a surgical career. The second is to study subjects that would help me in my preparation for the Surgery Primary exam, a.k.a. the Generic Surgical Sciences Exam (GSSE). Passing the GSSE is a prerequisite for surgical education and training (SET) selection. Thirdly, doing this degree also exposes me to clinical epidemiology, which is absolutely useful for research. I used it as a launching pad for further courses in research. Doing a higher degree in my view is the norm these days, but the knowledge and exposure I’ve gained as a result is valuable.

What are the downsides of doing it:

Costs and time. The whole body dissection component of the master’s is approximately $25,000 AUD. Then 4 additional subjects to complete the master’s, for a total of approximately $40,000 AUD, which can be deferred to FEE-HELP. The anatomy component requires sacrificing alternate Saturdays and weekly Wednesday evenings. Studying for the GSSE plus the master’s was very demanding and required careful planning of subjects and timing in order to get the most out of them for exam preparation.

What have I gained from doing it:

Despite the costs and time commitment, the master’s is valuable and has been useful in my daily practice. In-depth knowledge of anatomy is so practical in the day-to-day work as a general surgery registrar – knowing where and what the problem is and how these would affect patients is bread and butter in any surgical career. The master’s had also prepared me well for the GSSE, which I passed on the first attempt. Doing the master’s has also helped me discover new interests e.g. biostatistics and research.

Any other comments/advice:

My advice is to consider what you can get out of doing a Master of Surgery degree, and whether you could justify the time commitment and the expense. I certainly would not recommend doing it just for the CV points because what you get is disproportionately low. Organise your master’s according to your interests and needs for GSSE preparation or career in general (e.g. by doing a minor thesis).

About The Author

Ken Liu did his internship, residency and basic physician’s training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney and went on to complete Gastroenterology advanced training at Concord Hospital, Sydney. After deciding to subspecialise in Hepatology, Ken returned to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital as the Liver Transplant Fellow in 2015. In 2016, he spent a year overseas as the Hepatology Fellow at the Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is currently completing a PhD at the Centenary Institute, Sydney. Ken has authored or coauthored over 20 papers in the field of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and presented his research at major international conferences. He also has a passion for teaching medical students and junior medical officers and has twice won the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Registrar Teacher of the Year award.